**Riverside Hanoi Hotel: Secret Balcony Views & Unbeatable Pho Near Hoan Kiem!**
Riverside Hanoi Hotel: Secret Balcony Views & Pho Nirvana (and Maybe a Few Hiccups) – A Review from a Real Traveler
Okay, let's be real. Planning a trip to Hanoi is an adventure. It’s a sensory overload, a glorious mess of motorbikes, fragrant street food, and history just oozing from every ancient brick. And finding the right hotel? Forget about it – it’s a minefield of glossy brochures and inflated promises. But after my recent stay at the Riverside Hanoi Hotel: Secret Balcony Views & Unbeatable Pho Near Hoan Kiem!? Well, let's just say I have a story, a strong opinion, and a very full stomach.
First things first: the location. PERFECT. Seriously. Near Hoan Kiem Lake, a stone’s throw from the Old Quarter (read: shopping and delicious chaos), and a comfortable walk to… well, everything. Accessibility-wise, the hotel does a decent job. Elevators are a godsend after a day of dodging traffic, and I noticed accessible features, though I didn't personally need them.
The Room: More Than Just a Bed (Mostly)
My room? Well, the "secret balcony views" were absolutely true. My room 103 had an amazing view. The room itself? Pretty standard, but clean, comfy, and the AC blasted like a blizzard – a very welcome feature after battling Hanoi's humidity. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! YES! – and it actually worked, unlike some hotels where you spend more time wrestling with the internet than actually using it. Internet Access – LAN, I didn't use, but it's there. The Air conditioning was a life-saver! I loved the Blackout curtains too, they make the sleep much better. Everything you need like hair dryer, in-room safe box, and slippers were provided.
Now, a couple of maybe-not-so-perfect moments. The room, while clean, wasn’t exactly “Instagrammable.” Let's say it had "character." The soundproofing wasn't perfect. I could hear the city—the constant honking, the clatter of life—but honestly, it added to the charm. It’s part of the authentic Hanoi experience, right? And the reading light in my room wasn't working. Minor stuff, nothing that ruined my stay.
Food, Glorious Food (And the Pho of Legends)
Okay, this is where the Riverside Hotel shines. The breakfast buffet was a solid start to the day. The Asian breakfast was delicious with vegetarian restaurant option available. Fresh fruit, noodles, eggs cooked to order… basic stuff, done well. But the real star? The pho. The hotel's restaurant – they have restaurants and coffee shop – serves some of the best pho I've ever tasted. Seriously. Rich broth, tender noodles, and that perfect balance of herbs and spices. I'm not exaggerating when I say I dreamed of that pho long after I left. They have Desserts in restaurant, international cuisine in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant, salad in restaurant, soup in restaurant. My favorite part of the day was the breakfast takeaway service!
The Poolside bar, was great for drinks. They also served bottle of water. I didn't see the happy hour as I was out and about, but it's there.
The hotel also offers room service [24-hour] and Alternative meal arrangement if you ask.
Relaxation & Amenities: A Mixed Bag
The swimming pool [outdoor] had an amazing pool with view. I didn't get a chance to use the fitness center because… well, pho, you know? But it looked decent, and they have the Spa. I’m a fan of a good pampering, but didn't have a chance to try it.
They have massage, sauna, and the steamroom available inside the hotel.
Cleanliness & Safety: Feeling Safe (Which is a Big Deal)
I felt safe at the Riverside. The staff were diligent about hygiene. They had hand sanitizer everywhere, and I saw them cleaning constantly. The safe dining setup and individually-wrapped food options gave me extra peace of mind. The hotel also has CCTV in common areas, Fire extinguisher, Smoke alarms, Security [24-hour]. I saw the staff trained in safety protocol. They really seemed to care.
Services & Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
Concierge service was available, the staff helped with laundry and dry cleaning. The hotel is equipped with a doorman, there's Luggage storage. They offer cash withdrawal for your convenience.
Getting Around: Easy Peasy
Airport transfer was a breeze, and they have car park [free of charge]. They even provide taxi service.
Things To Do:
- Explore Hoan Kiem Lake.
- Wander the Old Quarter.
- Eat ALL the street food.
- Visit the Temple of Literature.
- Take a cooking class – learn to make your own pho!
- Bustling night life.
Areas for Improvement (Just Being Honest)
The hotel could maybe up the design game a bit. Some of the decor felt a little…dated. And a few more English-speaking staff members would be helpful, particularly for less seasoned travelers.
My Verdict: Book It (If You Love Pho!)
Would I recommend the Riverside Hanoi Hotel? ABSOLUTELY. Especially if you're a pho fanatic. (And who isn't, really?) The location is perfect, the staff is lovely (and genuinely helpful), and the food is to die for. The little imperfections add to the charm. It's not a luxury palace, but it's clean, comfortable, and a fantastic base for exploring the vibrant chaos of Hanoi.
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- Unbeatable Location: Steps from Hoan Kiem Lake, the Old Quarter, and everything Hanoi has to offer.
- Secret Balcony Views: Wake up to breathtaking cityscapes from your comfortable room.
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into my chaotic, gloriously messy, and probably slightly delusional itinerary for the Riverside Hanoi Hotel. Get ready for some serious Vietnam vibes, warts and all. This isn't your perfectly curated Instagram feed, folks. This is the real deal.
Riverside Hanoi Hotel - My Vietnamese Adventure: A Stream of Consciousness
(Day 1: Arrival & Holy Crap, It's Hanoi!)
Morning (Like, REALLY early): Land at Noi Bai International Airport. Holy. Mother. Of. Dragons. The humidity hits you like a warm, wet hug you didn't ask for. Already sweating before I even clear customs. This is going to be interesting. Find the very enthusiastic (borderline aggressive) taxi driver. I haggled. I thought I did… I probably didn't. He gets me to the Riverside Hanoi Hotel. Prayed to all the travel gods that it's what the pictures say it is.
Late Morning/Afternoon: Riverside Realness Check-In:
- The Hotel: Okay, first impressions? The Riverside Hanoi isn't exactly the Four Seasons, but it's got charm. That slightly worn-down charm that screams, "We've seen some things." The lobby smelled of… maybe incense? And a hint of something else I couldn't quite place. Maybe a lingering memory of last night's pho? Who knows.
- The Room: My room's… adequate. Not spectacular, not terrible. Clean enough. The AC works (hallelujah!), and the view of the river is… well, it exists. Tried the coffee packets they left in the room… tasted like sadness and instant coffee. I'll need some real caffeine soon.
Afternoon – The Scramble for Lunch & Sensory Overload:
- First Meal: Okay, time for the most important mission: FOOD. Wandered out, got gloriously lost within 10 minutes (Hanoi traffic is like a real-life video game - dodging motorbikes is a full-time job). Found a random street-side stall. Ordered something I think was spring rolls. They were EPIC. Crunchy, flavorful, perfect. Nearly choked on one from pure joy. The vendor lady smiled. Maybe she understood my desperate hunger.
- The Streets: The sensory overload is REAL. Blaring horns, the constant buzz of motorbikes, the smells (good and… less good), the vibrant colors. Felt completely and utterly disoriented, in the best way possible. This city is alive.
Evening – Getting Lost (Again) & Lake Hoan Kiem Magic:
- Aimless Wandering (My Specialty): Attempted to orient myself. Got lost. Twice. Accidentally stumbled upon Hoan Kiem Lake. The air shifted. Suddenly, everything was calmer, the the chaos of the city seemed to soften.
- Reflections: Watched the sun set over the lake. The air was filled with people, laughter, the gentle clang of bells. Suddenly, I feel a rush of emotion, some kind of melancholic joy. This is it. Right here. This is why I travel.
Dinner: Okay, I had another food adventure. This time I was brave and ordered something I didn't recognize! Turns out… it was a big mistake. It was slimy and weird. Lesson learned: stick to the tried and true. Pho for life.
- Night Cap: Back to the hotel. A beer on the balcony. Contemplating the meaning of life, or at least the meaning of Vietnamese cuisine. Passed out before 10 PM. Jet lag is a killer.
(Day 2: Culture Shock & Coffee Dreams)
Morning (Pre-Caffeine Panic): Woke up. Jet lag is still messing with everything. I'm pretty sure I slept for, like, three hours. Need coffee. NOW.
Morning/Early Afternoon: Back to the Streets, and the Temple of Literature:
- The Coffee Hunt: Found a tiny coffee shop. Ordered a ca phe sua da (Vietnamese iced coffee). Sweet, strong, and woke me up from my coma. It was divine. I could get used to this.
- Temple of Literature: Seriously beautiful. The peacefulness of this place was such a relief from the city. Felt vaguely cultured for a few hours. Tried to pretend I understand Confucianism. I don't. But hey, it looked good on Instagram.
Lunch: Tried to find the famous bun cha. Ended up getting dragged into an alley by a street vendor whose English was nonexistent (and mine, even less so). It was amazing. Seriously, maybe the best food I've ever had. So smoky, savory, and the noodles… ah, the noodles! I wanted to hug the chef.
Afternoon - The Puppet Show: Okay. I went. I was prepared to be bored. I wasn't bored. It was amazing! The puppets were incredible, the music was haunting and the puppeteers were completely hidden. I don't know how they do it. Total mind-blown. It's a must-see.
Evening: (Attempted) Cooking Class: Thought, "Hey. I should learn to cook some of this amazing food!" The class was… okay (I think it will be better at other location). The instructor was patient with my butchering attempts. I may or may not have set a cilantro on fire. Let's just say, I'll stick to eating the food, and leaving the cooking to the professionals.
Night Cap & Journaling (and Regret): Back at the hotel, scribbling notes. A long and honest reflection of the day, the people, the experiences, the city, and my own state of mind. Maybe I'm not a natural traveler, but I'm trying.
(Day 3: The Impending Exit & Last Bites of Hanoi)
- Morning: (Panic Cleaning & Last Minute Souvenir Hunt): Pack. Realized I've accumulated 10,000 extra things, including street food wrappers. Rush to find souvenirs. Bargaining is a skill I clearly lack. The vendor's laughter rings in my ears.
- Brunch: Pho Farewell: One last bowl of pho. A sad, delicious goodbye. This soup is the perfect food.
- Afternoon: Stroll & Goodbye: Walk through the Old Quarter for one last look. So many smiles, so many flavors.
- Late Afternoon: Riverside Hanoi Farewell: Checked out, still slightly exhausted, but in a good way. The riverside had become a temporary home.
- Evening: Flight: Goodbye Vietnam, I'll be back.
The "Minor Categories" (Because Honesty is the Best Policy):
- Food: Amazing. Utterly, ridiculously, unbelievably amazing. And cheap! I ate everything. Probably got food poisoning. Would do it all again.
- Accommodation at the Riverside Hanoi: Decent. The location is great. The staff were friendly, even if communication was at times a struggle. A bit run-down, but that's part of the charm.
- Transportation: Motorbikes: terrifying, exhilarating. Taxis: haggling a nightmare. Walking: the best, and the most dangerous.
- Shopping: I am the least prepared to haggle so I buy what I like.
- People: Incredibly kind, patient (especially with my terrible Vietnamese pronunciation). Also, they’re very good at giving you side eye for taking photos.
Final Thoughts (Rambling, of Course):
Vietnam. Hanoi. It's not perfect. It's chaotic. It's overwhelming. You'll get lost. You'll sweat. You'll probably eat something questionable. But it's also beautiful. It's vibrant. It's delicious. It's a place that will stay with you long after you leave. I'm exhausted, broke, and already planning my return. The Riverside Hanoi? Well, it was a home base. A slightly dusty, charming home base. Would I recommend it? Yeah. (Just pack some extra patience and maybe a travel-sized bottle of hand sanitizer. And try not to order whatever I did on Day 1.) Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to find a place to have a nap.
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Riverside Hanoi Hotel: Secret Balcony Views & Pho Frenzy! (Ask Me Anything!)
Okay, spill the tea! Is that "Secret Balcony View" REALLY as good as it sounds? My Instagram feed is calling…
Alright, alright, let's talk balconies. The "secret" part? Well, it's not like the hotel is *hiding* them, but they're not splashed across every ad either. And honestly? **Yes. Absolutely yes.** I'm a sucker for a view, and this one didn't disappoint. Imagine: morning coffee, that insane Hanoi street symphony (motorbikes, street vendors, general organized chaos), and the Red River glistening in the distance. Pure bliss. I spent a whole morning just… staring. Okay, maybe I also documented said staring for the 'gram. (Don't judge. You would too.) One minor hiccup: my first room's balcony needed a bit of a clean – a stray leaf or two from the ancient tree. *Definitely* not a dealbreaker, though. The view was worth the leaf. I'm telling you, worth it.
Pho. It's the reason we're all here. Does the hotel's pho recommendation actually deliver? I've had some… disappointments.
Pho... oh, Pho. Look, I have a *complicated* relationship with pho. I'm a picky eater. I've had pho that tasted like dishwater, pho that was suspiciously sweet… The hotel's recommendation? (Okay, admittedly, I asked the *very* nice staff like, five times. "Where REAL Pho, please?") Initially, I was skeptical, because, you know, hype. BUT. This pho. This was a symphony. Broth that hugs your soul, tender beef, perfect noodles. I remember my first slurp. My eyes actually watered. Not from the chili (though there *was* some), but from pure, unadulterated pleasure. Okay, maybe I *did* eat there every day. Don't judge! I was on a mission for the best Pho and I found it. It was like I was in a Pho coma for 3 days. A Pho coma is a good thing, folks. A very, very good thing. I still dream about that broth.
What's the *vibe* of the hotel? Is it all bougie and stuffy, or more… chill and backpacker-friendly?
Okay, "vibe" is crucial, right? I'm not a fan of pretentious hotels. The Riverside Hanoi? Definitely leans towards "chill." It's not overly fancy. It has a slightly lived-in, charming feel. Think: friendly staff, a lobby that actually *feels* welcoming (not just a cold, sterile space), and a general lack of attitude. You can wander around in your slightly-too-short shorts (me!), no one bats an eye. You could be a seasoned traveler or just starting out and trust me, you are welcome. The building has character. It's not a generic hotel. It feels like it has a story. Like it witnessed Hanoi changing and evolving. You know?
How's the location in relation to Hoan Kiem Lake, the Old Quarter, and generally, other "must-see" things? I don't wanna spend all my time in taxis!
Location, location, location! This is where the Riverside *really* shines. You're basically *walking distance* from EVERYTHING. Hoan Kiem Lake? A leisurely stroll. The Old Quarter? Dive right in! Taxis? I used them maybe twice, just because my feet were rebelling after a *very* long day of exploring. Honestly, I loved getting lost in the Old Quarter. Just go. It's a sensory overload in the best possible way. The hotel is close enough to the action, but removed enough that you get some peace. If that makes sense. It's a win-win. Seriously, location is a huge selling point. It made the entire trip SO much easier, and so much more enjoyable.
Are the rooms clean? I have a thing about cleanliness!! (And bedbugs.)
Okay, the cleanliness question. This is important. I'm with you. I'm not exactly germaphobic, but I *do* expect a clean room. The Riverside, from my experience? Clean. Not spotless, like a surgical room, but definitely clean and well-maintained. I didn't see any… unwanted guests. Bedbugs? Nope. The bathroom was clean. The sheets were clean. The towels were… well, they were towels. And I was happy. Seriously, you can relax in this department. It's not a five-star hotel, of course. But they clearly make an effort to keep things tidy and fresh. Phew.
What about the staff? Are they helpful and speak English? (Or, can *I* struggle through some basic Vietnamese and still be understood?)
The staff. The staff made the trip. Honestly. They were SO incredibly helpful, and friendly. Their English skills were generally excellent. I could totally communicate with them. They're friendly, and they are kind. They helped me with everything, from booking tours to finding the best places to eat (duh, Pho!). But even BETTER: they're not faking it. You know the difference between genuine hospitality and just going through the motions? The staff at Riverside are genuinely nice people. I tried speaking a bit of Vietnamese (and butchered it badly, hilariously so). They appreciated the effort, even if they couldn't always understand me. Just smile, point, and be patient. And they will help you. Trust me. They’re worth their weight in gold. Oh, and I had a bit of a luggage snafu – the staff were absolutely amazing in helping me sort it out. Stress averted!
Any downsides? Be honest! Nothing's perfect, right? (Besides Pho, obviously).
Okay, the downsides. Because nothing is perfect, not even a Pho-topia. Here's the deal: * **Elevator:** It's there, but it's small. And kind of slow. If you're on a high floor and impatient, you might find yourself hoofing it up the stairs, which is what I did more often than not. Because I'm impatient. * **Noise:** Hanoi is noisy. Motorbikes are *everywhere*. The hotel does a pretty good job of soundproofing, but you'll still hear things. Especially if you are near the street. Bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper. (I didn't, and I powered through.) * **Some rooms smaller than others:** My first room, I thought, was slightly smaller than my second room. I didn't actually measure them, but you know. (I might have upgraded... who knows!) * **Breakfast Could Be Better:** The breakfast isn’t *bad*, but it's not the highlight. ItHotels Blog Guide
